He wandered deeper into the market with the meat skewer in hand.
Esta felt alive in ways Earth markets never could.
A bakery stall made him pause.
The baker, an elderly man with kind eyes, displayed an array of normal bread.
He had golden loaves, twisted rolls, and pastries that looked handcrafted with love.
"Morning, young man. Something catch your eye?"
Noah studied the selection. "What's your most popular item?"
"Honey wheat rolls. My grandmother's recipe." The baker's pride was evident. "Three for one silver."
Reasonable price
"I'll take three."
Noah bit into a roll, savoring the subtle sweetness and perfect texture.
This guy knows his craft.
A commotion near the fountain drew his attention. A crowd had gathered around something he couldn't see, voices rising in excitement and concern.
Probably street entertainment. Or a fight.
His curiosity won, making him approach it.
He walked between spectators until he could see the centre of attention.
"Excuse me,"
"Sorry."
Noah pushed through the crowd, expecting to find street performers or some kind of entertainment.
Instead, his blood chilled at the sight before him.
A fat man in rich purple velvet dominated the space.
Baron Richard, judging by the whispered conversations around Noah.
The nobleman's obesity strained against his embroidered doublet, gold chains draped across his chest.
Rings glittered on every finger, each probably worth more than most people in this place earned in a year.
But Noah's attention was fixed on the small figure cowering at the baron's feet.
Kip.
The cat-boy's black ears were flattened against his skull, his yellow-green eyes darting desperately for escape.
His small hands were bound behind his back with coarse rope that had already rubbed his wrists raw.
A tall, lean servant gripped his shoulder with casual brutality.
"Where is your sister, beast-kin?" Baron Richard's lazy voice carried out.
Kip's mouth remained stubbornly shut, defiance flickering in his young eyes despite the terror.
"I don't know,"
The crowd watched with interest. It wasn't every day that you saw a runaway slave being caught.
"Answer your master," the servant hissed, producing a short leather whip from his belt.
Snap!
The whip sound echoed across the plaza.
Kip cried out.
A red welt bloomed across the boy's shoulder, visible through his torn shirt.
Enough.
Noah forced his expression into becoming neutral, burying the rage that threatened to explode from his chest.
Talking about human or animal rights wouldn't save Kip—in fact, it would be unwise.
So he spoke in a language that everyone understood...money.
He pushed through the final layer of onlookers, approaching the baron.
"Is he yours?" Noah pointed at Kip, keeping his voice level.
Kip's eyes widened with desperate hope. His mouth opened—
Noah shot him a sharp glare.
Don't. Not yet.
The boy's expression shifted to understanding. Whatever fragile trust existed between them, Kip grasped the importance of playing along.
Baron Richard's gaze travelled up and down Noah, taking in the foreign clothes with obvious disdain.
"Yes, he's mine," the baron replied slowly. "Though I've never seen you before. Strange clothes."
I really need to buy some local clothing, but that's for another time.
"Irrelevant." Noah reached for his coin pouch. "How much?"
The baron's eyebrows climbed toward his receding hairline. "You want to buy him?"
"Yes. And you mentioned a sister? I want her too."
Interest sparked in Richard's beady eyes, he had the look of a merchant scenting profit. He stroked his multiple chins thoughtfully.
"I don't know where his sister is hiding. The little wretch escaped three days ago."
"But she remains my property. If you purchase her, you'll need to locate her yourself."
"No problem." Noah nodded curtly.
"Five gold coins."
That's expensive...
Noah calculated quickly—expensive, but manageable given his daily income. Despite not knowing Kip and the fact that the kid tried to steal from him, Noah still felt like he could help.
He knew that he wouldn't abolish slavery in this place, or buy every single slave and free them. Still, he wanted to help Kip and his sister.
Something about the kid fighting for himself and his sister resonated with Noah. He reminded him of himself when his dad was hospitalised.
"Alright."
The baron's eyes raised, before his expression turned into a smirk.
Shit. I made a mistake. Now he thinks I have money to burn.
Noah did not haggle with the baron over the price.
"For one of them, that is." Richard's smile turned predatory. "For both slaves, it's ten gold coins."
Noah's eyes narrowed.
The baron was openly extorting him, banking on Noah's obvious desire to help.
Bastard.
"Done."
Noah pulled out his pouch, counting the required amount.
Each coin clinked against the next.
Baron Richard's fat fingers closed around the gold with obvious satisfaction. "Pleasure doing business. The boy is yours."
The servant released Kip's shoulder, shoving him toward Noah with unnecessary force. The cat-boy stumbled but didn't fall, yellow eyes fixed on his unexpected savior.
Noah grasped Kip's bound hands, feeling the rope cuts on small wrists.
"Come on," he said quietly, guiding the boy away from the crowd.